Ever since Jabari Greer got injured and ultimately retired from football the Saints have been without a solid #2 cornerback. The team made sure to rectify that this offseason by inking Brandon Browner to a 3 year, 15 million dollar deal. He is now reunited with former college teammate Keenan Lewis in the Black and Gold secondary.

"At Oregon State we were real good buddies," Browner said. "I'm fortunate to be playing with one of my really good friends. I'm looking forward to working hard like we did at Oregon State."

Brandon Browner : fortunate to be playing alongside Keenan Lewis. We've been good buddies since our college days pic.twitter.com/E5i3MiMJFg

Both have been working hard to start training camp as both seem to make the highlight reel everyday here in West Virginia. Is it a case where 2 good friends are pushing each other through friendly competition?
"I wouldn't say it's a competition," Browner responded. "We bounce ideas off each other, that's kind of how we were at Oregon State. We worked out, did extra work together at school; we try to do the same thing here."

The big 6ft4, 221 pound cornerback will also try and win a 3rd straight Super Bowl. He was a member of the Seahawks in 2013 and then the Patriots last year. Despite helping New England win a championship, he became a free agent when the team opted to not pick up his 2 million dollar roster bonus. Was there any disappointment on Browner's part?
"This is a business, I wasn't disappointed at all," replied Browner. "When they asked me to take a pay cut; it was time to get up out of there." While the media burst out laughing, he kept a straight face.

Besides age being some analysts concern about the Saints adding the 30 year old to the roster, Browner's physical play can also hurt a ballclub at times. For instance, in the 9 regular season games he played in last year, the CB was flagged for 17 penalties resulting in 12 first downs.

"I try not to think about the officials; take them out of the game," says Browner. "Won't let them change the way I play the game. Obviously some teams like the way I play. I've been a starter across this league on 3 special defenses so I'll continue to be myself.

On the other hand a huge positive he brings to the Saints is a leader in the locker room. Seattle and New England both raved about this guy's presence and how his teammates respond to him.

"I just try to be myself," states Browner states. "I played with 2 championship defenses, so I know what it look like to be on a good defense. I talk to the guys when need be. Try to be a leader as much as I can. We've got talent back there. I just help these guys grow and they can help me grow as well."

With the amount of youth in the Saints secondary, having Browner around to help mold as professionals is so valuable. One kid who he has really taken to so far is Delvin Breaux.

"I've got a lot of love for that cat," says Browner. "I remember I came down to Mardi Gras a couple of years ago and I met him down at St Charles at one of the parades. It's surprising that we are now on the same team. He's one of the guys I want to help grow. Bounce some ideas off of him. We had similar roles going up there to Canada. So some of the things he's seen up there I can relate to. I really like Delvin Breaux."

Let's hope the next parade the 2 are at together is rolling down Poydras after the team hoists the Lombardi trophy once again this year.

Saints tight end Orson Charles has been suspended by the league for one game for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

He was sentenced to diversion after pleading guilty to wanton endangerment in February. In terms you and I can understand, Charles was arrested last April after allegedly pointing a gun at a driver who made an obscene gesture at him.

He was with the Cincinnati Bengals at the time of the incident and was released by the team last August.

Charles was signed to the Saints’ practice squad last September. His lawyer told a Kentucky news station that the tight end would essentially be on probation for two years.

It was a glorious day here in West Virginia after the mountain fog lifted from the practice field. Saints players got their last taste of practicing without pads, as the real fun starts tomorrow. Here are a few highlights from the day, leading off with running back Khiry Robinson looking like he was shot from a cannon!

For the Saints, one of the few bright spots from last season was Mark Ingram’s break-out year. Whether or not it was the thought of a new contract that fueled his fire, he certainly produced on a high level. Ingram rushed for 964 yards and 9 scores with 145 receiving yards in the 13 games he appeared in. How did it feel to be on the practice field for day one of training camp? “It was good to be back with the team, good to be back to work,” said the running back. “First day is always an important day, sets the tone for the entire camp; for the year."

The Black & Gold seemed to lack passion and focus in 2014, which in the end resulted in a 7-9 record that included 5 losses at home where the Saints once seemed invincible. Since last year was such a huge letdown, does Ingram expect this camp to be a lot tougher? “I believe so,” nodded Ingram. “Our year wasn’t what we expected so I think we’re going to be more disciplined; the coaches are going to be on us heavier. The players, we need to be more encouraging. When somebody is not working up to par we need to lift them up. We just all have to work together and be a team from top to bottom. That’s what championship teams do, that’s what championship organizations do. Encourage each other and pick each other up.”

Ingram is also hoping to help pick the team up by getting more opportunities in the offense. Even though the Saints added CJ Spiller, who is a pass catching RB, to the backfield, Ingram is hungry for an increased role in the offense. “Yeah, I hope so. I want to contribute in every aspect. Running the ball, catching the ball, screens, running routes, picking up pass protection… I’m a complete back. I’ve been saying that since forever.”

It’s still way too early to get worked up over guys starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but if Marques Colston does have an injury that will keep him out for an extended period of time; who will replace him as the teams’ #2 receiver?

I have Brandin Cooks slotted as the #1 guy, despite it only being his 2nd season. The 2014 first round draft pick is returning from a hand injury that limited him to just 10 games in his rookie season. Cooks really seemed to be clicking well with QB Drew Brees before getting hurt, and expect that bond to only get stronger this training camp.

That brings us back to the whole “who will be the #2 WR?” discussion. When the players hit the field today I fully expect to see Nick Toon as that guy. He is entering his 4th season as a member of the Black & Gold and 3rd in the system since he missed all of year 1 due to injury.

Toon has seen very limited playing time thus far in his career, but did start to be involved more towards the end of last season. In the Saints final 6 games he caught 17 passes for 215 yards and 1 touchdown. While I realize those aren’t jaw dropping numbers, it is significantly better than the previous 2 years.

He has good size at 6ft2, 215 lbs. and has routinely impressed during practices. The key is to turn in those highlight reel moments when in game situations.

Some will ask, “But what about Seantavious Jones or Brandon Coleman?” While I am excited about see what both 2nd year guys can do, I do not expect two practice squad guys from a year ago to come and snag the #2 job right away. Both are going to have to continue their stellar OTA and mini-camp showings in order to have a shot at earning that role.

When the Saints swooped in last offseason to sign the top free agent on the market, there wasn’t a single soul who thought it was a bad decision. But now, in just year two of safety Jaruis Byrd’s 6-year $54 million contract, doubt and concern have crept into the minds of the Who Dat Nation.

The Byrdman will start his 2nd straight training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Last year was because of back surgery, and this season he is recovering from knee injury that limited him to just the first 4 games of the 2014 season. Now, this could just be a precautionary move by the Saints since Byrd was back on the field in OTAs and minicamp in a limited role.

He could come off the PUP anytime during training camp, but until then cannot practice with the team or play in any games.

While we hope that is the case, it doesn’t mean that you cannot wonder if New Orleans made a poor investment. Did the Buffalo Bills let the All-Pro safety walk because they knew he was damaged goods?

The Pelicans and unrestricted free agent Kendrick Perkins are in the process of finalizing a contract, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports. Stein adds it will be a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.

Perkins played little for the Cavaliers last season after being dealt to Cleveland from Oklahoma city at the halfway point. His season average was 17 minutes with 4 points and 5 rebounds per game in 2014-15.

The 30 year old center is basically just a big body at this point in his career. He will provide some veteran leadership and play the role of enforcer, but I cannot imagine he will have more than a limited role. Bringing Perkins into the mix also means that Jeff Withey will likely not be back in the mix.

Side note: Perkins should bring Tyrke Evans a cookie cake and all should be good

The final day of SEC Media Days finally brought out the guy we’ve all been waiting to see. LSU head coach Les Miles showed off his shoe game, which was the trend this year among the coaches, by putting purple & gold Converse on the table.

OK, back to football! The Bayou Bengals finished 2014 with an 8-5 record, while going 4-4 in the SEC, and in the final contest of the year, lost to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. Miles knows it wasn't good enough.

“Our team, eight wins, certainly not enough”, Miles admitted. “We played some really good ball clubs in that eight-win season and played them very close, but our goal is the playoffs, our goal is the SEC championship. We're shy of our goals, and we want more. The things that we've done, I think we're in really good shape.”

The only way this team is going to improve this season is if the play at quarterback gets better. Last season both Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris struggled with hitting open receivers and were also victims of drops. Any new info on who could be named the starter week 1 vs. McNeese State?

“I think Brandon Harris has gotten most of the summer work,” Miles stated. “I think he has really improved. I think I'm confident in both guys, and I think competition will end up making the call there who will start. But, again, I think we're nothing but improved at the quarterback spot.”

He thinks Harris has gotten most of the summer work? Les, your other QB is suspended indefinitely for breaking into a student’s apartment to allegedly retrieve items that were stolen from him. Of course Harris has gotten most of the summer work! Miles did say that he does expect Jennings to be cleared by the time summer camp begins next month.

A bright spot on the offense last season was freshman running back Leonard Fournette. He rushed for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns and led the SEC in all-purpose yards at 137.4 per game.

“He's one of those guys that is a hard worker,” said Miles. “He's quiet, does not speak much. He truly is a leader of our team. He's a guy that does the work in the classroom, does the work in the weight room, and when we talk about what our team goals and the direction of this team, he's the guy that's integral to those thoughts.”

Another emerging player for the Tigers is on the defensive side of the ball. In his freshman season, safety Jamal Adams had 66 tackles and made the 2014 Freshman All-American and All-SEC Freshman teams. Miles called him one of the finest safeties in the conference and also discussed improvement on the defense despite the Tigers ranking No. 1 in the SEC in passing and total defense.

“Our defensive line, Davon Godchaux and Greg Gilmore, Christian LaCouture, and a number of guys behind him inside I think will push the front very well. On the perimeter, Tashawn Bower and Lewis Neal and a host of other guys will really give us good position and speed on the perimeter there. Our linebackers may be the biggest, fastest that I've been around.”

The Tigers will begin the 2015 season at home against McNeese State on Sept. 5. The following week, conference play kicks off at Mississippi State.

The Pelicans turned their attention to their two centers after securing Anthony Davis to a 5 year extension. First up was Alexis Ajinca who agreed to a 4 year $20 million deal with the team. He was very productive last season coming off the bench. Ajinca averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game. His biggest issue was getting into foul trouble along with a lack of defensive prowess, but is still a quality backup.

I'm very excited to say that I will be a Pelican for 4 more years! I'm so happy to be back home.. Let's win a championship! #TakeFlight

Then late Wednesday night word came down that Omer Asik is finalizing a 5 year, $60M deal to remain with the Pelicans. While it's still unclear how the big man will fit in new coach Alvin Gentry's system, the team just couldn't let him walk in free agency. New Orleans gave up a first-round pick last year in order to acquire him from the Houston Rockets. Asik averaged 7 points, 10 rebounds and 1 block per game last season.

The Pelicans did not possess a 1st round selection in last night's NBA Draft, and wound up trading away their 2nd round pick. New Orleans drafted Michigan State forward Branden Dawson with the 56th overall pick, but shipped his draft rights off to the LA Clippers for cash considerations.

Maybe that money can help add new speakers to the gym for coach Alvin Gentry, who said he likes to play music during practices. The Pels will likely focus on adding some talent to surround Anthony Davis with in free agency. The period to negotiate with players opens next week on July 1st. The team is also hoping they can lock up "The Brow" to a long term max-money deal at that time. This is the final year of Davis' rookie contract.